The 10 Most Beautiful Places in China

China's vast and diverse territory endows the country with some of the most beautiful natural scenery on earth. From the picturesque karst landscape in Guilin and Yanshuo to the precipitous pillars in Zhangjiajie, from the colorful lakes in Jiuzhaigou to the Rainbow Mountains in Zhangye, China's diverse natural beauty is as impressive as its splendid culture.

1.Zhangye's Danxia Landscape — Rainbow Mountains

The Danxia landscape in Zhangye is vividly named "Rainbow Mountains" by many due to its dazzlingly colors. Danxia (丹霞 /dan-sshya/) means 'red, red clouds'. In China's remote northwest, Zhangye is ignored by ordinary travelers, but deeply loved by photographers.

The landscape is composed of curvy, layered, multihued formations, most of which are several hundred meters high. When the sun shines on them, their colors appear in full vibrancy. It looks like an oil painting when the vast red rock formations are simply set against a pure blue sky.

2.The Yellow Mountains — Sunrises and Seas of Cloud

An image of a twisting pine tree growing from a curiously-curved rock pops into Chinese minds when they hear of the Yellow Mountains.

These mystical and mistical mountains are the most beautiful and most famous in China. Their classic attractions are grand dawns and their "four natural wonders": peculiar pines, oddly-shaped rocks, seas of clouds, and hot springs.

3.Hong Village — Nine Centuries Quaint

Hongcun is a picturesque village with beautiful watery scenes round its lotus ponds and bridges, as well as charmingly crafted architecture. Villagers have diverted water into "house gardens" and "water yards", which exist only in this village. The village, in its breathing-taking setting, looks like a Chinese painting. The village attracts many Chinese art students to practice their skills.

4.Wuyuan — China's Most Beautiful Rural Area

Wuyuan is hailed by Chinese travelers as "the most beautiful countryside in China". The classic image of Wuyuan is rural life under colorful blossoms.
From early March to mid-April, Wuyuan is covered in a yellow carpet of rape flowers. Fall foliage is another highlight of the area.

5.Xiapu — Mudflats and Traditional Seaside Life

Xiapu is a hidden gem, yet to be discovered by ordinary travelers. The area has picturesque mudflats and a simple lifestyle, and is deeply loved by photographers from all over the world.

The scenery changes constantly. Sometimes there is sea water, and sometimes just mud, with seaweed drying on bamboo poles. Fishermen and seaweed harvesters make a living there, in harmony with the tides that sweep through.

6. Zhangjiajie — Precipitous Pillars

The precipitous pillars in Zhangjiajie National Forest Park are the inspiration for the Hallelujah Mountains in Avatar.
Zhangjiajie is famous for its towering peaks, grotesque rock pillars, and deep valleys. The forest of massive pillars is one of the best muses for photographers in China.

7.The Li River & Yangshuo — China's Most Beautiful Karst Landscapes

The Li River is like an artist's masterpiece, bounded by classic sheer karst hills, which have inspired many poets and ink painters. It is listed as one of the world's "Top 10 Watery Wonders" by America's National Geographic Magazine and the World's "15 Best Rivers for Travelers" by CNN Travel.

Chinese tourists first think of Yangshuo when looking for natural beauty. Yangshuo is famous for its karst hills and rivers. Taking a bamboo raft or having a cycling tour into the countryside, you can enjoy the idyllic, painting-like scenes.

8.The Yuanyang Terraced Fields — Steps to Heaven

"If you are a traveler, but have never been to Yuanyang, Yuanyang will feel sad for you;
if you are a photographer, but have never been to Yuanyang, God will feel sorry for you!"

There are many things that you know will never be surpassed once you see their beauty. And you will find Yuanyang's terraced fields are the most beautiful terraces in the world, once you have been there.

9.Jiuzhaigou — Colorful Alpine Lakes

Jiuzhaigou, in remote west China, has inspired dreams of a colorful fairyland among many travelers. Jiuzhaigou features multicolored lakes surrounded by vast mountain forests. These lakes change color throughout the day and year. The colors come from the reflections of surrounding mountainsides and algae and minerals in the lakes.

Fall is the most beautiful season in Jiuzhaigou, when the landscape changes color, providing a vivid backdrop of autumnal hues — an unspoiled, dazzlingly beauty rarely rivaled in China.

10. Tibet — Lofty Mountain Splendor

Tibet, locked in the Himalayas, holds travelers' imaginations of the lost Shangri-la. From the unspoiled sacred lakes to the world's highest peak — Mount Everest; from the vast untouched Changtang Grasslands to the depths of the Yarlung-Tsangpo Canyon, the Roof of the World is filled with awe and pristine beauty.